For more than 40 years, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has supported projects of significance throughout the Pacific Northwest in areas, such as education, science research, and arts and culture. At its most recent quarterly meeting, Murdock Trust's program director, Jan Kennedy Ferguson, announced her retirement.
Ferguson served as the trust's program director for 20 years, during which time she facilitated more than 600 grants worth a combined $105 million, which equates to roughly 10 percent of the trust's overall grantmaking since its creation in 1975. During her time with the trust, Ferguson championed programs benefiting women's health and rural communities. Also, according to executive director Steve Moore, Ferguson served as a role model and leader for everyone involved with the Washington-based trust.
Among others, Ferguson's nonprofit expertise led to the distribution of grants to the Ruby Valley Hospital, Union Gospel Mission, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and the Riverstone Health Foundation. Kim Newman, who has been affiliated with the foundation for eight years through its Partners in Science program, has been hired to replace Ferguson as program director.
